ॐ Hindu Of Universe ॐ
“God’s light is within you, It never leaves you.”
India is a land of festivals and rituals.
We celebrate more festivals than anywhere else in the world.
Each festival pertains to different occasions, and Vasant Panchami is a festival that welcomes the spring season of the year.
It is one of the most auspicious festivals which is celebrated in most parts of India either in the month of January or February.
Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh Maas and dedicated to the Hindu Goddess Saraswati who is the goddess of knowledge, language, music, and all arts.
Devotees worship the deity with yellow flowers, gulal, water offerings, incense, lamp, etc.
As per the tradition, yellow-colored sweets and yellow sweet rice, and yellow colored Halwa are offered to Goddess and then consumed as Prasada.
Saraswati Puja takes place on a grand level in the eastern states of India such as Odisha, Bihar, West Bengal, and Assam.
On this holy day, people worship Goddess Saraswati and visit Her temples.
Most of the schools, colleges, educational institutes, and universities observe it with a holiday and arrange special Saraswati puja for their students in their premises.
In central and western parts of India, people wear jasmine garlands and fly kites to celebrate this festival.
Sikhs distribute food to the needy (known as Langar) to celebrate the new crop season or yellow festival whereas in Uttarakhand, people worship Goddess Parvati and Lord Shiva and as the mother and father of the earth.
Significance: In ancient times, Goddess Saraswati used to be worshiped before the initiation of a child’s study.
Since ancient days, there has been a ritual of writing Beej Mantra of Goddess Saraswati “Om” as the first syllable of education.
On this auspicious day, many parents make it a point to sit with their young kids to make them study or write their first word “Om” to begin their studies.
As per the teachings of sacred textbooks, great poet Kalidas and the great sages like Valmiki, Vashishtha, Vishwamitra, Shaunak, and Vyas became successful only by the worship of Goddess Saraswati. Therefore, Hindus celebrate this ritual with great sincerity and fervour to get blessings of Goddess Saraswati.
According to Hindu mythology, Basant Panchami indicates the beginning of the warm and fertile spring season after the winter.
Farmers harvest new crops and enjoy the vibrancy and brilliance of nature.
Astrologically, Basant (spring season) has special significance, and Basant Panchami, the fifth day of the bright half of Hindu month Magh is such an auspicious time (Muhurta) that is suitable for all auspicious events like marriage, naming ceremony, and house warming.
Thus, Hindus perform all kinds of rituals without hesitation and without making any analysis of Panchang or astrological suggestion.
Mantras to chant on this day: Goddess Saraswati originated from Sattva Guna and bestows creative energy and knowledge to those who worship Her on this day.
It is believed that chanting of the following mantras 51 or 108 times to praise Goddess Saraswati brings fruitful results in education, career, and all new beginnings.
Some divine mantras are given below:
Om Shree Saraswatyai Namah
• Om Aim Klim Sauh Shri Mahasaraswatyai Namah
Om Hrim Aim Hrim Om Saraswatyai Namah
• Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah
Legends of Vasant Panchami:
• According to a story from Hindu scriptures, the day of Vasant Panchami is considered as the beginning of life on earth.
Once, Lord Brahma was very delighted with the creation of the beautiful world.
As a result, he set out on a journey to see the whole world.
After visiting the whole world, He was disappointed with complete silence.
Each and every living being on the planet Earth appeared very lonely.
Lord Brahma gave a lot of thought to His own creation and come up with a brilliant idea.
Immediately, He had sprinkled some water from His Kamandal and an angel appeared from a nearby tree.
The angel had a Veena (string musical instrument) in her hand. Lord Brahma requested her to play some music and to sing some hymns for everything on Earth.
As a result, the angel started playing some music and blessed the people of the Earth with the new vibrations of music, voice, love, joy, and enthusiasm.
Since then, that angel was popularly known as Goddess Saraswati as well as Veena Vadini (harp player).
Devotees started celebrating this auspicious day of Vasant Panchami as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati.
• Another important story from the Matsya Purana which is associated with this captivating festival is the story of the Kamadeva, the Hindu god of Love, and his wife Rati.
According to this story, God Kamadeva’s was burnt to ashes by Lord Shiva for his wrongdoings.
Consequently, distraught Rati, the consort of Kamadeva had to undergo 40 days of strict penance to appease Lord Shiva.
It was on the auspicious occasion of Vasant Panchami that Lord Shiva finally granted her wish and brought Kamadeva to life.
From that day onwards, Lord Kamadeva along with his wife Rati are worshipped by devotees in many parts of India with another festive called Rati-Kaam Mahotsav.
• As per another story, Lord Rama, an incarnation of Lord Vishnu ate half-tasted grapes and berries of Mata Sabari.
So, to remember this pious day, the festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated.
Summary: Vasant Panchami is an ancient Hindu festival that marks the beginning of the spring season as well as the beginning of many other auspicious events.
The day has special significance in Indian culture.
Indians celebrate this pious day as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati, who is the Goddess of education, wisdom, knowledge, and speech.
As an age-old tradition toddlers begin their writing or reading from this pious day in a unique ceremony named Khadi-Chuan/ Vidya-Arambha (starting of education).
Yellow color is the theme for Vasant Panchami.
On this holy day, devotees wear yellow-colored dresses and offer yellow flowers to worship mother Saraswati.
Vasant Panchami Saraswati Puja
The day of Vasant Panchami is dedicated to Goddess Saraswati, the Hindu Goddess of knowledge, music, arts, wisdom and the learning.
Vasant Panchami is known as Shri Panchami as well as Saraswati Puja especially in West Bengal.
It should be noted that Saraswati Puja is also done during Sharad Navratri which is more popular in South India.
Vasant Panchami Significance
Vasant Panchami is believed to be the birth anniversary of Goddess Saraswati. Hence the day of Vasant Panchami is also known as Saraswati Jayanti.
As Diwali is significant for worshipping Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth and prosperity and Navratri is significant for worshipping Durga, the goddess of power and valor, similarly Vasant Panchami is significant for worshipping Saraswati, the goddess of knowledge and wisdom.
On this day, Goddess Saraswati is worshipped during Purvahna time which is the time before midday as per Hindu division of the day.
Devotees adorn the deity with white clothes and flowers as the white color is believed to be the favorite color of Goddess Saraswati.
Usually, the sweets made of milk and white sesame are offered to Goddess Saraswati and distributed as Prasad among friends and family members.
In north India, yellow flowers are offered to Goddess Saraswati on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami due to the abundance of blossomed mustard flowers and marigold (Genda Phool) at this time of the year.
The day of Vasant Panchami is significant for Vidya Arambha, the ritual of introducing young children to the world of education and formal learning.
Most schools and colleges arrange Saraswati Puja on the day of Vasant Panchami.
Vasant is the equivalent to spring and one of the seasons out of six Indian seasons in Hindu calendar. Vasant Panchami is misnomer as the day is not linked to Indian season of Vasant. Vasant Panchami is not necessarily falls during the season of Vasant. However, in present time, in some years it falls during Vasant.
Hence, Shri Panchami and Saraswati Puja are more appropriate names to refer the day of Vasant Panchami as none of the Hindu festivals are linked to seasons.
Vasant Panchami Deity(s)
Goddess Saraswati
Vasant Panchami Date and Time
As per Hindu Calendar Vasant Panchami is observed during
Shukla Paksha Panchami of Magha lunar month
Vasant Panchami Observance
Following are the main rituals and activities which are followed on the day of Vasant Panchami –
Saraswati Puja at home
flying kites
wearing white and yellow dresses
offering mustard and marigold flowers to Goddess Saraswati
Vidya Arambha for kids
Saraswati Puja at schools and colleges
starting new ventures especially inaugurate educational institutes and colleges
Pitri Tarpan for deceased family members
Vasant Panchami Regional Variance
Vasant Panchami in Brij – Vasant Panchami celebrations are none other than those in temples of Mathura and Vrindavan.
The day of Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of Holi festivities in Brij temples.
On the day of Vasant Panchami, most temples are decorated with yellow flowers.
The idols are adorned with yellow dresses to mark the arrival of spring.
On this day, the famous Shah Bihari temple in Vrindavan opens Vasanti room for devotees.
In Shri Banke Bihari temple of Vrindavan, priests start Holi celebrations by tossing Abeer and Gulal on devotees.
Those who prepare Holika Dahan Pandal dig up holes and install Holi Danda (a wooden stick) which would pile up with waste wood and dried cow-dungs in next 41 days for Holika Dahan rituals.
In West Bengal – Vasant Panchami is celebrated as Saraswati Puja in West Bengal.
Like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja is celebrated with lots of devotion and enthusiasm.
Saraswati Puja is performed especially by students.
As a custom, the girl students wear yellow Basanti Sari and the boys wear Dhoti and Kurta.
The students as well as artists keep education books, musical instruments, paint-brushes, canvas, ink pots and bamboo quills in front of the idol and worship them along with Goddess Saraswati.
In most homes, Anjali is offered to Goddess Saraswati in the morning.
The Goddess is worshipped with Bel leaves, marigold, Palash and Guldaudi flowers, and Sandal paste.
Like Durga Puja, Saraswati Puja is also celebrated as a community festival, people come together and build Pandals in their localities and install the idol of Goddess Saraswati.
Traditionally, music is played on the gramophone to appease and to get the blessings of the Goddess of wisdom and knowledge.
In Naivedhya, Kul (which is jujube fruit and popularly known as Ber in North India), apples, dates and bananas are offered to Goddess Saraswati and later distributed among devotees.
Even though the Kul fruit is available in the market much before the festival, many people don’t start eating it until the fruit has been offered to Goddess Saraswati on Magha Panchami day.
Most people look forward to relish the Kul fruit on this day.
Topa Kul Chutney is special dish which is savored on the day of Saraswati Puja along with Khichuri and Lubra.
Apart from Saraswati Puja, Hate Khori i.e. the ceremony of Learning Bengali alphabets and known as Vidya Arambha in other states is performed on this day.
In the evening the idol of Goddess Saraswati is taken out of home or Pandals and immersed in the water body with a gala procession.
Usually the idol is immersed on the third day but many people perform immersion on the same day of Saraswati Puja.
In Punjab and Haryana – In Punjab and Haryana, Vasant Panchami is pronounced as Basant Panchami. Basant Panchami rituals are not related to any worship.
However, it doesn’t make the occasion less significant as the day is marked with various fun and frolic activities to welcome the arrival of the spring known as Basant.
The day is very popular for flying kites.
Both, men and women, participate in the event.
The activity is so popular that the demand of kites soars just before Basant Panchami and kite makers have busy times during the time of the festival.
On the day of Basant Panchami, the clear blue sky is filled with numerous kites with various colors, shapes and sizes.
It should be noted that in Gujarat and Andhra Pradesh, kite flying is more popular during the time of Makar Sankranti.
The school girls wear traditional Punjabi outfits known as Giddha and participate in kite flying activities.
To welcome the arrival of spring, they prefer wearing yellow colored dresses popularly known as Basanti color.
Gidha, a folk dance from Punjab, is also very popular among school girls on the eve of Basant Panchami.
Vasant Panchami Public Life
Vasant Panchami is not a compulsory Gazetted Holiday in India.
However, usually in Haryana, Odisha, Tripura and West Bengal one day holiday is observed on the day of Vasant Panchami.
Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the bright lunar fortnight (Sukla Paksha) of the month of Magha in the Indian lunisolar calendar.
This corresponds to the months of January and February in the Gregorian calendar.
Association with goddess trinity
Vasant Panchami is of great significance in this land. In ancient times, Vasant Panchami was also the festival of the river Saraswati.
In many parts of India, this festival is known as Saraswati puja, a day to propitiate Goddess Saraswati.
Saraswati pujas are conducted in houses while the Saraswati temples are decorated and thronged by devotees.
In south India, it is celebrated as Sri Panchami, Sri being one of the names of Goddess Lakshmi.
Vasant Panchami is also the day when Goddess Parvati sent Kama Deva to disturb Lord Shiva’s penance.
This festival of Vasant Panchami is thus associated with all the three goddesses in the Hindu trinity.
In other words, it is a day that celebrates knowledge, prosperity, and creative energy.
Saraswati connect
How is Vasant Panchami connected to the Saraswati river and Goddess Saraswati?
Let’s find out.
The Saraswati river was an ancient river in northwest India which dried up in the course of time.
In those days, with the advent of spring, the Himalayan glaciers would melt, increasing the flow of the river Saraswati.
The mustard plants that grew on the banks of the river used to go into full bloom, with the yellow color of mustard flowers decorating the banks of the river for many miles, making for a wonderful sight.
It is interesting to note that the color yellow represents knowledge in the Indian tradition.
It is the color of spring.
A day that celebrates knowledge
In ancient times, the rishis had their ashrams on the banks of the river Saraswati.
Sage Veda Vyasa too had his dwelling here.
It was on the banks of the Saraswati river that the Vedas, Upanishads, and other scriptures were composed and compiled.
The river thus became associated with Goddess Saraswati, the deity of knowledge and wisdom.
On Vasant Panchami, Goddess Saraswati is draped in yellow, making her association with the festival and the river complete.
People also dress in yellow and share yellow colored food items on this day.
And, Vasant Panchami which is an occasion to worship Goddess Saraswati is a day to celebrate knowledge as in some traditions, children are initiated into education on this day.
February – a short and sweet month
Saraswati is also the goddess who represents creativity.
In ancient times, Vasant Panchami was the beginning of a month-long festival – Vasant Utsav which culminated in Holi.
As we have seen, Vasant Panchami comes in February.
This month February was considered apt for marriage.
As per the legends, even the gods got married during this month.
Shiva and Parvati had their wedding during this period.
The legend of Vasant Panchami
Now let us briefly look at the popular legend associated with Vasant Panchami.
The story goes that Lord Shiva was once in deep penance.
Tarakasura had attained a boon that only Shiva’s son would be able to put an end to his life.
He began wreaking havoc all across the world emboldened by the fact that Shiva had become an ascetic immersed in meditation for a long period and it was unlikely that he would ever marry again after the self-immolation of Sati (Shiva’s first wife).
Meanwhile, Sati had reincarnated as Parvati.
Parvati had undertaken a severe penance to attain Lord Shiva.
However, Shiva was unmoved.
Parvati then sent Kama Deva (god of love) to rouse Shiva from his meditation.
It was on Vasant Panchami day that Kama Deva approached Shiva and created an illusionary spring in Kailash to attract the Lord and bring him out of his penance.
Shiva does eventually awaken but reduced Kama Deva to ashes.
He then accepted Parvati as his spouse.
The son born to Shiva and Parvati, Lord Kartikeya went on to annihilate Tarakasura.
Celebrations in different regions
Apart from being a day that is observed as Saraswati Puja, Vasant Panchami is celebrated in different ways in different regions of India.
In Punjab, Vasant Ritu is celebrated as the festival of kites.
People are dressed in yellow attire and eat yellow rice.
Sikhs wear yellow turbans.
In Maharashtra, married couples visit temples wearing yellow clothes on the first Vasant Panchami after their wedding.
In Rajasthan, people wear jasmine garlands on this day.
In Bihar, the ancient statue of the Deo sun deity was installed on Vasant Panchami.
This statue of the Sun god is washed and decorated with celebrations that continue through the day.
Vasant Panchami
The Season of Vasant: The Queen Of Seasons
Poets have written many poems on the innate beauty of nature and women – the symbol of power.
Nature also appears very beautiful during springtime – the queen of seasons.
Lord Shri Krishna has described himself as spring season in the Shrimad Bhagwat Gita.
He has also mentioned that springtime is a symbol of prosperity. Vasant Panchami is the celebration of this festival.
The spring season begins on the 5th day of the Magha month.
Thus, Vasant Panchami is described as highly significant by Sages in our scriptures.
According to the scriptures, Mother Saraswati incarnated on Vasant Panchami day from Lord Brahma’s mind.
Hence, it is considered the best day for students to worship Mata Saraswati – the goddess of knowledge, wisdom, arts and music.
Vasant Panchami is an excellent day for auspicious activities and marriages.
This festival is also celebrated as Shri Panchmani and Saraswati Panchami.
Where is Vasant Panchami Celebrated in India?
The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated all over India.
However, like every festival, each region and state has its own way to celebrate the festival.
For example, in West Bengal and Bihar, Saraswati Puja is performed all over these states, at their homes and pandals.
The idols of the goddess are also immersed in the water in the evening.
For Haryana and Punjab, Vasant Panchami, just like Lohri, is a festival of harvest.
You may also see many people flying kites in these states on the day of Vasant Panchami, wearing yellow clothes.
Yellow, because the festival represents energy and yellow fields of North India.
Mustard and marigold flowers are also offered to Maa Saraswati.
Vasant Panchami : The Story Behind the Festival
The most popular story associated with the festival is that of the legendary poet Kalidasa.
According to the story, Kalidasa was a simpleton and was tricked into marrying a princess who didn’t respect him.
A crestfallen Kalidasa wanted to end his life but just before he could commit suicide, Goddess Saraswati appeared before him and asked him to take a dive in the river.
Kalidasa did as he was told, and emerged from the water an intelligent, knowledgeable and cultured person, who would eventually become a renowned poet.
That is why on this day, the goddess is worshipped so that she may bestow the gift of knowledge to her devotees.
Rituals For the Festival
To achieve writing excellence in studies and to overcome any obstacles or failures, you can chant “Om Shree Saraswatyai Namah” or “Om Aim Klim Sauh Shri Mahasaraswatyai Namah”.
Also, worshipping the Vignaharta God – Ganeshji will be surely beneficial.
Natives who are suffering from a lack of concentration should regularly chant “Om Hrim Aim Hrim Om Saraswatyai Namah”.
You can gain knowledge by worshipping mother Saraswati and also by chanting the “Om Aim Saraswatyai Namah” mantra of mother Saraswati every Thursday and Sunday 51 or 108 times.
Mother Saraswati originated from Sattva Guna and she is very much fond of white things.
Hence, mother Saraswati’s blessings can be obtained by donating or offering white items like milk, curd, butter, white clothes, sugar, white sesame seeds and rice grains.
Apart from this, mother Saraswati is adorned with yellow flowers, and yellow coloured dresses are also worn while worshipping her.
Vasant Panchami Importance: Best Day To Get Married
Traditionally, this is also considered the best day to get married.
Every year, thousands of people get married on the auspicious day of Vasant Panchami.
As the season changes during this period, we experience rapid changes in our health.
Thus, worshipping Lord Dhanvantari on this day leads to good health.
This is also regarded as an auspicious day for buying new things and making investments.
According to astrology, this is also a good day for starting new activities.
Vasant Panchami is falling on January 26, , Thursday.
Muhurats of Vasant Panchami are:
Vasant Panchami Muhurat – 07:12 AM to 12:34 PM (5 Hours 21 Mins)
Panchami Tithi Begins – 12:34 PM on Jan 25,
Panchami Tithi Ends – 10:28 AM on Jan 26,
Worshipping Mother Goddess Saraswati during the muhurat is really auspicious and help you gain knowledge, wisdom and prosperity.
Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Magh by the Hindu calendar. This year it falls on February 14.
The festival is also known as ‘Sarasvati Puja’ and marks the beginning of Spring. Indians living in the subcontinent and all over the world jubilantly observe this holiday in different ways depending on the religious sect and region. Saraswati is the Goddess of arts, science, music, and knowledge in Hinduism.
HISTORY OF VASANT PANCHAMI
Vasant means ‘spring,’ and Panchami means ‘fifth’ in Hindu.
The religious festival falls on the fifth day of the Hindu lunar month of Magha.
It marks the beginning of the end of winter and the coming of spring. Celebrations of Vasant Panchami revolve around the Hindu Goddess Sarasvati — the goddess of all knowledge and intellect — ‘Sarasvati Puja.’ Different facets of crafts, skills, and learning are owed to her.
Her persona is described in Hindu lore as wise and calm.
Pakistanis refer to the holiday as ‘Basant Panchami.’
Depictions of Sarasvati vary, however, she is mostly depicted in pictures as wearing white clothing and sitting on a huge lotus flower or a peacock.
Sarasvati has four hands, symbolizing wisdom, mind, alertness, and ego, respectively. Some variations show her carrying scriptures and the lotus flower in two of her hands while playing the ‘sitar’ instrument with the other two hands.
Instead of sitting on a lotus, she rides on a white swan.
Sarasvati stands for all things good and pure, and her throne, be it a lotus or an animal, expresses the wisdom of differentiating between good and bad.
The peacock represents a lack of good understanding, held back by one’s ego.
Because Vasant Panchami also heralds the arrival of spring, the color yellow is associated with the celebration. In the Punjab region of the subcontinent, mustard fields are a common sight at this time of the year.
People wear bright yellow clothes and cook colorful food, such as ‘biryani’ and ‘ladoos,’ to mark the beginning of spring.
The holiday is recognized and observed by Hindus, Sikhs, and Jains in Northern India, and Panjabi Muslims in Pakistan.
HOW TO OBSERVE VASANT PANCHAMI
1. Wear the color yellow
Beautify your house with yellow flowers. Wear traditional Indian clothes in the color yellow to get into the festive mood.
2. Celebrate with friends and family
Prepare a feast for your friends and family, and celebrate with them. You can even set a theme such as spring, yellow, or white.
3. Read stories of Sarasvati
Read stories of the great goddess Sarasvati, and share them with children. You may worship and observe religiously according to your beliefs.
5 DELIGHTFUL FACTS ABOUT VASANT PANCHAMI
1. Sarasvati represents all things creative
The goddess Saraswati represents creative energy.
2. People visit temples
In Nepal, Bihar, and the eastern states of India, people visit temples and worship Goddess Saraswati to celebrate Vasant Panchami.
3. Food is distributed
In Hindu temples, food is distributed with the belief that Sarasvati herself will be joining her devotees in the feast.
4. Celebrating India’s agriculture
The festival also celebrates the rich agriculture of India and its endless fields of mustard crops.
5. Observances in Bali Island
The day is also celebrated on the Bali island of Indonesia.
Basant Panchami
Vasant Panchami marks the beginning of the spring season.
The festival of spring is celebrated with full vivacity and joy amongst the Hindu people.
In Hindi language, the word ” basant / vasant” means ”spring” and ”panchami” means the fifth day.
In short, Basant Panchami is celebrated as the fifth day of Spring Season.
Vasant Panchami falls on the fifth day of the Indian month, Maagh (January-February).
This festival is also known as Saraswati Puja.
Vasant Panchami and its Significance
The festival of Basant Panchami is dedicated to Saraswati, the Goddess of Wisdom. According to the Hindu mythology, the goddess symbolizes constant flow of knowledge and wisdom.
Vasant Panchami is also believed as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati.
The spring festival of Basant Panchami is especially celebrated in the institutions of learning.
As Saraswati is the goddess of learning, Students observe the blessings from Maa Saraswati.
Spring is the season when crops are fully bloomed, so people also celebrate this occasion by flying kites.
Basant Panchami – Celebration
Yellow color is given special attention and dominates everywhere on this particular day. Yellow color is associated with Goddess Saraswati as well as the mustard crop.
People wear yellow clothes, make yellow color sweets on the day of Saraswati Puja.
The Goddess of art, learning, knowledge and wisdom, Maa Saraswati is worshipped with full dedication.
On this day, People also feed Brahmans with the feeling that their ancestors are accepting the food.
Kite-flying has become the part of this festival and people really enjoy this event.
Basant Panchami is a festival full of religious, seasonal and social significance.
It is celebrated by Hindus all over the world with enthusiasm and new sense of optimism.
Vasant Panchami / Basant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is a major spring festival that marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati.
Goddess Saraswati is also known as Goddess of knowledge and arts.
People especially students and artists celebrate this festival by offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati.
Vasant Panchami (Basant Panchami) is a major Hindu festival that celebrates the start of spring and starts the preparations for Holi which is 40 days later.
It marks the birthday of Goddess Saraswati, known as Goddess of knowledge and arts. In some regions, people, especially students and artists celebrate this festival by offering prayers to Goddess Saraswati.
Yellow handkerchiefs, yellow clothes, and yellow tilaks on the forehead is common.
History of Vasant Panchami
Vasant Panchami is celebrated by Hindus all around the world in different ways. According to several Hindu texts and sculptures, it has been said that Vasant Panchami or Saraswati Puja is the day when the Goddess of learning, music, and art Saraswati was born.
Goddess Saraswati is worshipped on this day to win her special grace.
This day considered very importantly for all the Hindus, especially those who are studying.
Students on this day pray to Goddess Saraswati to seek success for their academic goals.
The mention of the deity Saraswati is found in the medieval and ancient Indian literature between the years 1000BC to 1500 A.D. According to these texts, Goddess Saraswati is known to be Celestial being that appeared at the time of the creation of the universe by Lord Brahma.
She forms an integral part of the trinity of the three Goddesses Mahalakshmi, Mahasaraswati and Mahaparvati.
These divine forms assist the trinity of Vishnu, Shiva, and Brahma in the recycle, regeneration and maintenance of the universe.
Goddess Saraswati is also considered to be the mother of mellifluous music and fluent speech.
Goddess Saraswati has been given the same importance as to the Holy river of Ganga and she is also known to be the deity of purifying, healing powers and flowing rivers.
The Story of Goddess Saraswati lays back to the creation of the universe.
Lord Bharam who is known to create the universe wanted to create life on earth.
To do this, he created a female through his thigh.
The female creation of Lord Brahma was an epitome of grace and beauty.
Upon looking at her, Brahma felt in love with her and wanted to marry her.
She was none other than Goddess Saraswati.
Goddess Saraswati considered him to be his father and did not want to marry him.
To escape from Brahma amorous glances, she went to heaven.
Lord Brahma followed her to heaven and convinced her to get married as this was the only way he could create life on earth.
Basant Panchami Story – Basant Panchami Festival
The festival of Vasant Panchami is celebrated on fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh Mas.
On this day, Lord Vishnu, Lord Krishna, Goddess Radha, and Goddess of education, Mata Saraswati are worshiped with yellow flowers, Gulal, water offerings, incense, lamp etc.
In this Puja, as per the tradition, yellow and sweet rice and yellow colored Halwa is offered to God and then eaten as Prasad.
Panchami is also celebrated as the birthday of Goddess Saraswati.
This festival is considered to be the festival of King of seasons.
Basant Panchami begins from spring season and carries up to Panchami of Krishan Paksha of Falgun Mas.
This festival is specially significant for lovers of art and education.
According to Basant Panchami story, Lord Brahma created the universe.
This festival is celebrated in north India with full glee and delight.
As per another Basant Panchami story, this day, God Rama ate half tasted grapes of Mata Shabari.
So as to commemorate, the festival of Basant Panchami is celebrated.
The day of Basant Panchami is considered as the beginning of life.
This day is the day of arrival of happiness.
The season of spring is the season of rebirth and renewal.
In this season, fields of yellow mustard charm everyone’s heart.
Colorful flowers start blooming.
The day of Basant Panchami is celebrated as the welcoming of colors and happiness.
According to Basant Panchami story, Lord Brahma was very happy with the creation of the whole world.
As a result, he wanted to see the whole world with his own eyes.
Therefore, he set out on a journey.
When he saw the world, he was disappointed with complete silence.
Everyone on planet Earth appeared very lonely.
Lord Brahma gave a lot of thought to what he had created.
According to Basant Panchami story, Lord Brahma had an idea.
He took some water in his Kamandal and sprinkled it in air.
An angel appeared from a tree.
The angel had a harp in her hand.
Lord Brahma requested her to play something so that everything on Earth was not silent.
As a result, the angel started playing some music.
According to Basant Panchami story, the angel blessed the people of the Earth with voice.
She also filled this planet with music.
Since then, that angel came to be known as Goddess Saraswati, Goddess of speech and knowledge.
She is also known as Veena Vadini (harp player).
It is believed that Goddess Saraswati provided voice, intelligence, force and glory.
All You Need to Know about Vasant Panchami
Once Basant/Vasant Panchami fell on my birthday and I were made to wear yellow and blue frock (one of my favourites) which I happily donned.
Everyone looked unusually chirpy while wishing me, and that kind of made me feel even more special.
Today, when I was assigned to write an informative blog on Basant Panchami, a lot of memories from that birthday revived.
I also take this as an opportunity to learn about a thing or two about the religious significance of Vasant Panchami, since it did not occur to me then to learn about its importance.
Festivals are truly something, they have this amazing happy energy around them that is quite contagious and Basant Panchami is no exception.
This spring festival in India is more than what you assume it is, and here’s all the information I could collect for a comprehensible read so that you can impart some knowledge to others this Basant Panchami .
Stay with me on this, ok?
Celebration Date/Month
Vasant/Basant means spring and Panchami translates to the 5th day, so Vasant Panchami is celebrated on the 5th day of the bright half of the Hindu luni-solar calendar month of Magha, which typically falls in late January or February according to Gregorian Calendar.
The festival date may vary according to the moon.
The Basant Panchami date in is January 29.
Religious/Mythological Importance
Many of those following Hinduism dedicate Vasant Panchami to Goddess Saraswati who is considered the goddess of knowledge, language, music and all forms of art.
The significance of Basant Panchami is that the festival marks the harvest time of mustard crop that has yellow blooms, which Hindus associate with Saraswati’s favourite colour.
Another legend behind Vasant Panchami is based on the Hindu God of love, Kama and Lord Shiva.
It is believed that Goddess Parvati approached God Kama to wake Shiva from his Yogic meditation so that he could fulfill his earthly duties.
Kama agreed and shot an arrow made of flowers and bees from his bow made of sugarcane.
This initiative is celebrated by Hindus as Vasant Panchami.
The history of Vasant Panchami also connects it to the birthday of Sun God.
On this day, the statues in the Deo-Sun shrine of Aurangabad district of Bihar are washed and old red clothes on them are replaced with new ones.
Devotees sing, dance and play musical instruments.
Basant Panchami (Vasant Panchami) Date
Basant Panchami is celebrated on the fifth day of Shukla Paksha of Magh month i.e. Panchami Tithi.
This time this festival is celebrated on Thursday, 26 January.
Meaning of Basant Panchami (Vasant Panchami)
Basant Panchami (Vasant Panchami) The word Basant is taken from the Sanskrit word Vasant which means spring and Panchami means fifth.
According to Hindu Panchang, this festival is celebrated every year on the fifth day of Shukla of Magh month according to the Indian calendar.
On this day, particularly in the eastern parts such as Bihar and West Bengal people worship goddess Saraswati, the Godmother of Knowledge, with all pleasantries and rituals.
Significance of Basant Panchami (Vasant Panchami)
This festival marks the arrival of Spring and is also known as the festival of Kites.
On this day, most of the people wear yellow colored clothes.
Also, in most of the homes, people cook yellow coloured delicacies.
Actually it is believed that yellow colour is the symbol of prosperity, energy and warmth, significantly associated with sunflowers and mustard that grow in the fields of Punjab and Haryana.
Saraswati Puja Items
Saraswati Puja or the worship of Goddess Saraswati takes place in the months of January-February.
A whole lot of poojan samagri or Saraswati Puja items are needed for worshipping the Goddess of intellect and wisdom.
The Essential Saraswati Puja Items Are:
- Aam ke Patte or Mangifera or Mangon leaves.
- Aasan or mat manufactured by wool.
- Agarbatti or the incense sticks.
- Akshata or Chawal or Orziya Sativa or rice.
- Ashtagandha/ Scented Orange Powder
- Attar or scent
- Chandan or Sandal wood orSantalum Album
- Deepak or lamps.
- Diye Ki Battior cotton wicks for lighting the lamps.
- Phal or fruits especially fruits like mango, banana or papaya which are yellow in colour.
- Ganga Jalor the sacred holy water.
- Ghantaor the bell.
- Gheeorclarified butter.
- Gud or jaggery.
- Haldi or turmeric powder or Curcuma Longa
- Kalash or vessel for holding water.
- Kamal or Lotus or Nelumbo Nucifera.
- Korpur or Campho or Cinnamomum Camphora
- Kesar or strands of saffron.
- Kumkum or red powder for applying vermillion.
- Maachis or match box with matchsticks.
- Mithayi/ Sweets; specially Kesar Halwa/Yellow Mithayi
- Saraswati Maa Ki Murti/ Idol of Goddess Saraswati
- Murti/ Coconut/ Cocos Nucifera
- Panchamrit or holy water.
- Phool or flowers; especially the yellow flowers, such as Marigold
- Phool Mala or Marigold flower garland.
- Prasaad or food blessed by the deity, such asKesar Halva, Kesariya Bhat orKhichadi
- Pyaala or bowl.
- Saaf Laal Kapda or clean red cloth.
- Sankha orconch.
- Sindoor orVermilion or Cinnabar.
- Supari or betel nuts or Areca Catechu.
- Tambulam or betel Leaf or the Piper Betel.
- Thaali/ Plate
List of Samagri you need to Organise a Saraswati Puja
Saraswati puja is that time of the year when you pack up your books and pray to the goddess for her blessings.
But to organise a Saraswati puja is no easy job.
You need to know all the steps involved and you need to arrange for all the ingredients.
Saraswati puja is a time of celebration and fervour for the Bengalis all over the world. Bengalis consider this puja to a celebration of their intellectual history.
They believe that the celebration of Ma Saraswati is their divine right as the intellectual capital of India.
Saraswati puja is celebrated all across educational institutes of the state and as well as in the localities and the homes of the Bengalis.
The goddess Saraswati statue is decorated with ‘chandmala’ and vermillion and is placed on an elevated platform.
She is strewn with seasonal flowers and fruits and a pundit curates a puja for her.
Ingredients for a the Puja
Many ingredients are needed to curate a proper Saraswati puja.
Since the arranging for these ingredients is a cumbersome job, online retailers are selling Saraswati puja Kit on a brass thali for you.
These kits would generally include the following things.
- Saraswati Idol – Getting hold of a Saraswati idol is very cumbersome and you can get it online.
- Shodashmatrika – This is an important part of the Saraswati puja and without it the puja will not happen.
- Naw Graha Asana – This is the asana on which the goddess will be placed
- Aggarbatti and Dhoop – Every Puja requires dhoop and aggarbatti and similarly in this case you need them to make the atmosphere pious.
- White Cloth – A white cloth is always needed in any hindu puja
- Roli, Mouli, Abir, Haldi, Cloves, Om Sticker, Sindoor, Cardamom, beetle nut, Kush, Honey, Ghee, Karpooram, Mishri, Oats – all these items are very vital and a core part of the Saraswati puja
- Pancha Ratna – It is dust of precious stones that are required for a puja. It is offered to the goddess as an offering.
- Pancha Mewa – As Saraswati puja is a very strictly vegetarian affair, dry fruits play a very important role in the offering offered to the goddess. Though this is not strictly necessary, but the addition will always help.
- Achaman Patra – This is a very vital ingredient in every puja and this is the thali where the primary offering isd made to the goddess.
- Sapt Mrittika – Seven pots or mrittikas are required in a puja.
- Clay Diya – Clay diyas are lit on the sides of the goddess so as to ward off the evil spirits. These play a very vital part in the puja and is very essential.
- Puja Thali – A puja thali is needed to place all the offerings in it and offer it to the goddess.
This is perhaps the most important part of the puja accessories.
With all these ingredients in hand, you are completely ready to curate your own Saraswati puja.
All you need now is the will and the energy to get up and call on your friends and family and have a pious puja that will bring prosperity to all your intellectual endeavours.